Sunday, November 22, 2015

I INCHED MY way forward to see what was drawing photographers to the edge of the sandbar at Blackie Spit Park in Crescent Beach.

At first glance, it could have been round brownish-gray pebbles lining the curve of the shore.

The feathered heads of what seemed to be thousands of sandpipers bobbed amid a chorus of congenial, at times nervous, bird chatter.

Although they were unsure about humans, it was a boat whizzing by that caused them to lift in unison, their wings beating as if with one heart.

How were they able to fly so closely without touching in midair I wondered? Each sudden flight was like a burst of feathers in a pillow fight.

Mostly, however, the birds displayed patterns and amazing synchronicity.

These little soldiers marched to the same tune.

To my untrained eye every beak, tweet and feather looked identical.

Dozens within the larger flock turned their heads in similar directions.

When I examined the choreography (above) I found only a few missteps.

Despite initial appearances no two were alike ... that is the true nature and limitless creativity of existence.

Closer inspection hinted at the differences amid similarities as they moved with the ebb and flow of whatever grandmaster was pulling their strings.

Seagulls went about their business. They didn't mind the bird invasion.

From a distance, the sandpipers could have been seagulls when the sun glinted on the bright white underside of their wings.

I was told this bird species likely had already settled in the region but was pushed to the shore due to high tides covering the nearby mudflat areas they normally inhabit. I took pictures of their visit over several days.

Locals simply sat and enjoyed the show that had flown to their doorstep.

PENELOPE PUDDLISMS: BC LIFE IS A WHALE OF A RIDE contains original copyrighted content inspired by Penelope (Penny) Puddle who chases away a gloomy day. Click on the book to learn about the imaginary character that motivated me to start this online journal where I share real-life West Coast scenes. Penelope Puddle illustrations are by my daughter.

TOUCH THE SEASHELL TO LINK TO "WITH MY UMBRELLA, I CAN ..."

Drawings kids make for us are priceless and in rare cases escape refrigerator doors

MY WEST COAST daughter was small when she first conjured up a painting of Penelope (Penny) Puddle and her sidekick umbrella as a gift to me, a writer who evolved the character. Penelope is an original creation that represents the youthful can-do spirit in us all. She loves the BC outdoors where she can travel from sandy beach to snowy mountaintop in a day. Penelope thrives in the rainy season when her imagination grows best. She inspired a kid's book, greeting cards and this site which allows me to explore, create and participate in the broader universe of ideas.

CLICK ON PENELOPE TO LEARN ABOUT THE PUDDLISM CONCEPT

ALL ILLUSTRATIONS, photographs and content are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written permission from Maria Pavlik.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Spellbound by books early

LEARNING TO READ was not easy but once I found meaning in the letters, a gateway to books and fantastic realms opened. Now I have fun creating my own stories for kids and grownups. Childhood art and stories instill the power of possibilities. As Albert Einstein once said: "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions." He also said: "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." I prefer the latter.

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BC WEATHER REPORTS

IF YOU ARE WONDERING what to wear in and around Vancouver, BC, click on the cap and umbrella for current weather conditions.

MY EUROPEAN TRAVEL TALES

CLICK ON the orange umbrella to read my European travel tales. I enjoy photography, artistic expressions that usually involve Penelope Puddle with her umbrella, and writing articles about BC as well as my travels elsewhere. When I am not “puddling” outdoors, my journey is online.

IN MY WORLD I've been thinking about the Lewis Carroll books and how our visit to the beautiful Palace of Versailles last October remind...

Tap into your inner wings

BC FAIRIES are copyrighted illustrations by my daughter. A click on the floral umbrella art sheds light on the tiny creatures.

Cystic Fibrosis

CF TAKES your breath away. Click on the t-shirt to learn more about this dreadful illness affecting children.

Traveling With Your Pet

IT’S NEVER COOL to travel with a hot dog. The occasional sweltering weather in BC reminds us that pets left in cars can suffocate from the heat in October as well as in July. Click on the pet to read this post.

All Rights Reserved

PENELOPE PUDDLISMS: BC LIFE IS A WHALE OF A RIDE contains copyrighted content. No part of its writings, concepts, illustrations and/or photographs may be reproduced in any form without expressed, written permission from the author.

PENELOPE'S GIFT OF TIME

HAVE YOU GOTTEN out of bed with a big yawn and a stretch and a niggling feeling there is something important you forgot that needed your attention yesterday? Oh, yes … that gift for someone special that you still did not get. It is a dilemma we all have faced, including Penelope who is only six and penniless. You do not have to be a parent to enjoy Penelope’s surprising discoveries as she sets off on a rainy day with her sidekick umbrella to find the perfect present for Mother’s Day. Penelope’s Gift of Time is a fully illustrated rhyming tale that effortlessly shows preschoolers and early readers how fond memories build and a sense of connectedness grows when we give of ourselves. (This 20-page story is the second in the Penelope series.)

COUCH AND COMPANY

SINK DEEP into this spellbinding tale about a little girl named Rue who tumbles down the crevice of a second-hand couch to find buttons, coins and dust balls surprisingly animated and in fear of a hot-tempered bully. The highly descriptive prose could draw out some unexpected theatrical skills from parents when dramatizing the story aloud to children. The tiny town under siege inside the sofa and its remarkable residents offer an entertaining read with a quirky lesson. It will take teamwork and creative thinking to overcome the grouch hidden in the bouncy lettuce-green couch. (Short story, no illustrations.)